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At least three massive explosions hit the southwest outskirts of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Sunday, as the US-British forces are closing in on for a new assault.
Earlier, a barrage of rockets was seen from the west side of Baghdad, shortly after a wave of artillery fire from the western outskirts.
Streets in the capital are deserted, shops closed.
The Iraqi government said on Sunday that it would impose a travel ban out of Baghdad from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. beginning from Sunday evening, so as to better defend the city. Local TV reported the government decision, saying that "there will be a ban on the movement of vehicles and people from and into the capital of Baghdad between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. until further notice."
Just before the announcement, loud artillery fire was heard from the western outskirts of the city in a new wave of bombardment, which resumed after a few hours of respite.
Hundreds of civilians fled Baghdad on Saturday, some of them heading north away from the advancing coalition forces to look for a safe haven.
(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2003)
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